SUBCUTANEOUS PORTS IN THE RADIOLOGY SUITE - AN EFFECTIVE AND SAFE PROCEDURE FOR CARE IN CANCER-PATIENTS

The purpose of the study is to present our experience and compare the results of the three types of ports used as a central venous access an d performed in the radiology suite. Between March 1989 and November 19 93 we performed 288 implantations (100 Implantofix Seldinger, 100 plas tic Hickman port, and 88 stainless steel Port-a-cath) for chemotherape utic treatment on the same number of patients diagnosed as having canc er. In all cases access was obtained via a subclavian vein (the left o ne in 185 cases and the right one in 103). All the system ports were i mplanted in the radiology suite. In all cases the procedure was succes sfully performed. Complications occurred in 26.3% of cases, most notab ly thrombosis in 13 cases (4.5%) and infection in 12 cases (4.1%). Dur ation of the port systems placement varied between 17 and 1467 days (a mean of 315 days). A total of 133 systems have been removed to date, 80(60%) due to termination of chemotherapy, and 53(40%) for treatment of complications. Significant differences (complications and port dura tion time) were not observed between the three types of reservoir used . Subcutaneous ports are safe, comfortable, and effective devices for central venous access.